Cholinesterase Inhibitor and N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Receptor Antagonist Use in Older Adults with End-Stage Dementia: A Survey of Hospice Medical Directors

Abstract

The findings from this survey indicate that cholinesterase inhibitors and/or NMDA receptor antagonists are prescribed for a subset of patients with advanced dementia and that a proportion of hospice medical directors report clinical benefit from the ongoing use of these agents. In addition, physician preferences for discontinuing these therapies are frequently at odds with the wishes of family members. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the clinical impact of the discontinuation of these therapies on patient and caregiver outcomes.